Russet-tipped Clubtail in July

July 31, 2021 by Mike Powell

I was absolutely thrilled yesterday when I spotted this Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly (Stylurus plagiatus) during a short visit to Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge. This species appears on the scene in late summer, so I was looking specifically for a Russet-tipped Clubtail the entire time that I was walking around the refuge. I was making my final circuit around the pond and had almost given up hope of finding one of these cool-looking dragonflies, when spotted this dragonfly perched on vegetation overhanging the water at the edge of a small pond.

The common name for this species fits it perfectly and the distinctive russet-tipped abdomen make it easy to identify. Russet-tipped Clubtails belong to a genus of dragonflies sometimes referred to as Hanging Clubtails. Member of this genus tend to perch with their long abdomens hanging downwards, sometimes even in a vertical position when the leaves and stems on which they perch bend under their weight.

I first spotted this dragonfly, when it was perching horizontally, tightly holding on to a thin stalk of vegetation. A breeze began to blow and the dragonfly swung wildly from side to side and up and down, but managed to hang on. I captured the second image when the dragonfly was in an almost vertical position.

We are moving deeper and deeper into the dragonfly season and it won’t be long before the population of dragonflies begins to shrink. That makes it even more exciting to spot new species as they emerge. There are still some species that have not shown up yet and I will be keeping my eyes open for them. If I see them, you will undoubtedly see them too. Stay tuned.

Posted in Dragonflies, dragonfly, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, Fort Belvoir VA, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Russet-tipped Clubtail, Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly, Stylurus plagiatus, Tamron 180mm | 15 Comments

15 Responses

on July 31, 2021 at 10:44 am | Reply Ann Parziale

I’ve never been terribly interested in dragonflies but now I can see their beauty and appreciate how many different types of dragonflies exist. So thank you again.
- on July 31, 2021 at 1:25 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ann. Some of my friends are more interested in birds and some like to photograph large mammals. There is a lot of latitude in nature photography for a variety of tastes. I try to convey some of my enthusiasm in my narratives as well as some interesting information about my subjects. I definitely am not offended when readers have negative reactions to my photos of snakes and spider (or even my beloved dragonflies).
on July 31, 2021 at 10:57 am | Reply Reed Andariese

Great find Mike! Very nice images! Enjoyed seeing them!
- on August 1, 2021 at 6:24 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Reed.
on July 31, 2021 at 11:33 am | Reply Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography

Very nice shots. Crisp and clear…and a tiny critter 👏👏
- on August 1, 2021 at 6:24 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ted. When I am photographing a dragonfly like this this that was perched really low to the ground, I have to be pretty close to my subject to even see it. It is marginally easy when it is a dragonfly that perches high on piece of vegetation and I can spot it from a distance.
on July 31, 2021 at 2:53 pm | Reply picpholio

Amazing shots Mike. Have a nice evening.
- on August 1, 2021 at 6:21 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Rudi. As I have noted before, we have a good variety of dragonflies where I live and it is always exciting to spot a species for the first time of the season, as was the case with this Russet-tipped Clubtail.
on July 31, 2021 at 5:05 pm | Reply Ellen Jennings

Wonderful captures, Mike, glad you stuck it out for a final pass around the pond! It is amazing how they can hang on to something so slight when the wind blows them around.
- on August 1, 2021 at 6:20 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ellen. I tend to be persistent when it comes to searching for dragonflies–it is hard to know when to call it quits. I actually spotted this one when I bent down to pick up a soda can that someone had discarded near the edge of the water. Somehow my eyes detected the shape of the perched dragonfly that amazingly stayed in place as I took my shots.
  - on August 1, 2021 at 12:19 pm Ellen Jennings
    
    Persistence is how you get the good images, and being willing to change angles and pick up on those shape/color/texture changes.
    
    Thanks for picking up the trash. I always have a bag with me and it makes me sad how often I find things to pick up.
  - on August 1, 2021 at 3:57 pm Mike Powell
    
    There are a number of trash barrels on the trail around this pond, so I just can’t understand why people feel like it is ok to throwing trash on the ground–I was less than 50 feet from a trash barrel when I picked up the discarded can and spotted the dragonfly. It felt like a little bit of positive karma. 🙂
  - on August 2, 2021 at 9:08 pm Ellen Jennings
    
    😁 I’m with you and have pretty much given up trying to understand, just try to do a small part to protect the wildlife.
on August 4, 2021 at 3:52 pm | Reply Lee

Amazing!! Very colorful!
- on August 4, 2021 at 9:34 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Clubtails are much less larger and less common than skimmers and I am always excited to spot one.